Master of Business Administration
A comprehensive and innovative MBA degree to prepare business students for a career in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
ProGRAM Highlights
The rapidly-evolving global marketplace of today is highly competitive; it demands a new kind of leadership. Students need a deep grounding in business theory along with first-rate leadership skills, an understanding of the changing environment that business operates in, and a keen understanding of human behavior and the ability to motivate - not dominate - co-workers. The MBA programs at Golden Gate University's Ageno School of Business are designed to give students the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful MBA graduate in this new business environment.
PROGRAM FORMATS
GGU offers different MBA program formats to meet the needs of our busy, working students:
Traditional Evening and Weekend MBA Program
Designed for working professionals and full time students, the traditional MBA program gives you the opportunity to pursue a designated concentration for your learning style and interests.
This is a flexible MBA program making it easier to balance your studies, work and personal life. You can proceed at your own pace in sequencing courses, deciding how many to take in a given trimester either in person or through our online CyberCampus.
View Traditional MBA Concentrations
Professional MBA Program (PMBA)
This cohort program requires five years of full-time work experience. The program is an intensive and rewarding 16-months emphasizing the skills needed to meet real business challenges. Classes meet in person on alternating Saturdays for sixteen months and leverage our online Cybercampus platform to reduce the time spent in class. We are currently accepting applications for our next cohort in San Francisco.
JD/MBA Joint Degree Program
The School of Law and Ageno School of Business partner to offer an accelerated MBA program for students who want to pursue a JD concurrently.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Graduates of the MBA program will be able to:
- Work effectively in teams
- Sell their ideas
- Apply theory to understand real practical situations
- Think "outside the box" and develop novel solutions
- Integrate the functional department issues into a coherent strategic whole
- Analyze and synthesize problems
- Manage the development of their own careers
And will be knowledgeable about:
- Current international and global issues
- Ethical and diversity issues
- Current technology and environmental issues
- Leading change in an organization
- Current management trends
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
GMAT Requirement
Applicants to the master of business administration degree program are required to take the GMAT. Some exceptions to this requirement exist.
Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement
Students admitted to the master of business administration degree program must meet the graduate writing proficiency requirement.
Computer Proficiency Requirement
Applicants are expected to demonstrate a working familiarity with computers and software applications appropriate for graduate studies. Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet analysis and network access capabilities are included for evaluation. Deficiencies in computer proficiency may require additional work as determined by the faculty.
Math Proficiency Requirement
Students admitted to this program are expected to possess a level of mathematical skill at least equivalent to College Algebra (MATH 30).
TUITION
Ageno School of Business Courses: $2,610 per 3-unit course
Tuition varies for other courses. See Tuition & Fees for details.
Locations
This program is offered at the following locations: San Francisco , Online .
Student Success rates
Fall 2005 Masters of Business Administration starters success over a 5 year period:
Graduation rate after 3 years |
Graduation rate after 5 years |
Continuing after 5 years |
Stopped taking classes |
| 44% | 67% | 5% | 28% |
Foundation Program — 18 units
- ACCTG 201
- Accounting for Managers*
- ECON 202
- Economics for Managers
- ITM 225
- Management Information Systems
- MGT 204
- International Business and Strategy
- MGT 210
- Management Theory and Communications
- MATH 240
- Data Analysis for Managers
- MGT 300
- Managerial Analysis and Team Dynamics (must be taken as part of the first six units of the advanced program)
- FI 300A
- Managerial Finance
- MKT 300
- Marketing Management
- OP 300
- Operations Management
- MGT 345
- Contextual Environment of Business
- MGT 362
- Developing Strategies for Competitive Advantage (must be taken as part of the final six units of the advanced program)
*Not required for students who are taking an MBA with a concentration in accounting.
Advanced Program — 30 units
Core Courses — 18 units
General Concentration — 12 units
Whatever the student’s goal in the world of business, the general concentration allows the student to tailor the MBA program to his or her individual needs.
Students may choose any four 3-unit courses from the GGU graduate catalog to build a custom course of study. With an array of electives to choose from, students can pick those courses that provide the set of knowledge and skills that they will need in their careers. Students may select courses from accounting, economics, finance, health services management, human resource management, information technology management, international business, economics, management, marketing, operations and supply chain management, project management, public administration, public relations, psychology or taxation.
Required Courses — 12 units
Four courses (12 units) from any 300- or 400-level courses with the following prefixes: ACCTG, ECON, EMPA, FI, HSM, ITM, MGT, MKT, OP, PR, PSYCH or TA.
Accounting Concentration — 12 units
A computative graduate concentration designed to train MBA students for an accounting specialty.
The concentration in accounting is recommended for MBA students with a background in accounting, or students who have a strong interest in the field. Whether students' career goals lie in the public sector, private industry, or not-for-profit organizations, they learn how to apply the theory and practice of contemporary accounting to a variety of management positions. They get abundant hands-on practice, a strong foundation in the latest technology used in the field, and the accounting and management tools needed to be a leader in their chosen organization.
Required Courses — 12 units
- ACCTG 300
- Accounting Research and Communication
- ACCTG 305
- Advanced Financial Accounting
- ACCTG 320
- Issues in Modern Management Accounting
Any other 300-level course with the ACCTG prefix, which may include:
Students who choose the accounting concentration also need to satisfy the following proficiency requirement and foundation courses:
Undergraduate Proficiency Requirement — 3 units*
Accounting Foundation Courses — 9 units*
- ACCTG 200
- Financial Accounting for Accounting Majors**
- ACCTG 200A
- Intermediate Accounting I**
- ACCTG 200B
- Intermediate Accounting II**
*All ACCTG foundation courses will be waived for those students who have passed the CPA examination.
**Individual foundation courses can be waived. ACCTG 2000 will be waived upon completion of ACCTG 1A or its equivalent and satisfactory score on the School of Accounting ACCTG 200 waiver examination. ACCTG 200A and 200B will be waived if students have previously completed comparable courses at another regionally accredited four-year degree granting institution with a grade of "B-" or better.
Entrepreneurship Concentration — 12 units
A graduate concentration designed for those on teams starting their own businesses.
For students who want to know how to start and grow their own business, this concentration offers the opportunity to learn how to design, finance and manage a new venture. Real-world practical skills combined with the most current theory will provide a solid foundation for developing your own business venture. All students in this program will construct a business plan for their venture, and will also have the flexibility to choose additional courses to support their particular interests.
Required Courses -- 6 units
ELECTIVE COURSES -- 6 Units
Two of the following:
Any 300 or above level course with permission of the MBA Director.
Finance Concentration — 12 units
An analytical graduate concentration designed to prepare MBA students for a finance specialty.
Whatever goal students have in the world of business, from corporate management to consulting and entrepreneurship, the study of finance gives them the grounding in decision-making techniques that will help ensure the financial health of their enterprise in the competitive global market. Students learn capital budgeting, capital structure, investment management, and short-term capital management. Our unique method; combining a theoretical knowledge of finance with extensive hands-on learning, using real-life case studies and our state-of-the art computer labs, gives students the abilities to be an effective and competent manager in any organization.
Required Courses — 12 units
Three 300- or 400-level courses (9 units) with the FI or ECON prefix, which may include:
Human Resource Management Concentration — 12 units
A versatile graduate concentration designed to groom MBA students for a career as an HR manager.
In the competitive global marketplace, effective management of human resources is necessary for success. Students learn to understand the human resource issues brought about by technology and the international business environment, and how to apply that knowledge as a human resource manager or personnel officer in business and public organizations. Students will receive relevant instruction to learn how to hire, train, develop, and manage a work force including benefits information, labor relations, and the latest employment laws.
Required Courses — 12 units
Two of the following:
- MGT 305
- Managing People in International Settings
- MGT 341
- Benefits Administration
- MGT 342
- Compensation and Administration
- MGT 343
- Labor Relations
- MGT 344
- Training and Development
- MGT 358
- Employment Law
- MGT 359
- Managing the Employment Function
- MGT 396A-ZZ
- Selected Topics in Management
- MGT 398
- Internship: Management
Information Technology Management Concentration — 12 units
A technical graduate concentration designed to prepare MBA students for work in the IT field.
The concentration in information technology prepares students as professionals with knowledge and skills essential for managers. Students learn methods for participating in the planning, design, integration and deployment of strategic enterprise technologies and systems essential for the contemporary organization's competitive success. Upon completion, students will be able to assess the IT needs of businesses and assign an IT framework to best address the company's needs and enable business value.
Required Courses — 12 units
Three 300-level courses (9 units) with the ITM prefix.
International Business Concentration — 12 units
A global graduate concentration designed to train MBA students for a career in an international setting.
The globalization of the marketplace has increased the demand for internationally oriented managers. This concentration prepares students for a managerial career in an international setting. It is designed to respond to the changing demands for managers who are in tune with the international economy through the advanced electives in international marketing, international finance, or international operations management. Students gain a high degree of competence and confidence in understanding the context of international business.
Four of the following*:
- ECON 340
- International Trade and Finance
- FI 343
- International Corporate Finance
- MGT 305
- Managing People in International Settings
- MGT 306
- Legal Aspects of International Business Transactions
- MKT 343
- International Marketing
- OP 329
- Global Supply Chain Management
*Other 300-level courses related to international business
Management of Healthcare Information Systems — 12 units
A flexible graduate concentration designed to prepare MBA students for a career managing healthcare information technology
The MHIS concentration will provide students with the tools to attain expertise in the world of information technology in healthcare. Students learn the contemporary and emerging IT tools and management practices that healthcare organizations are rapidly adapting. Students learn healthcare IT-oriented governance, strategic planning, project management, infrastructure and healthcare informatics. Coursework throughout addresses the roles and relationships of HIPPA, ICD-10, and other regulatory and security issues as they impact healthcare organizations.
Required Courses — 12 units
- ITM 340
- Managing Information Technologies in the Business Enterprise
- ITM 349
- Healthcare Information Systems
Two of the following:
- ITM 350
- Healthcare IT Governance and Strategic Planning
- ITM 351
- Healthcare IT Enterprise Infrastructure
- ITM 352
- Managing Projects in Healthcare
- ITM 353
- Emerging Trends in Healthcare Information Technology Management
Healthcare related courses from the following may be taken with the approval of the department chair:
Management Concentration — 12 units
A dynamic graduate concentration designed to prepare MBA students for a management position in their career.
This concentration program educates students in the use of modern management theories, concepts, research findings, and problem-solving techniques. Students get an in-depth foundation in evolving theories and contemporary management problems, and will be well prepared to manage creatively and effectively in the current business environment. Special attention is paid to communication, organization, and conflict resolution, strengths that lie at the core of a good managerial skill set.
Required Courses — 12 units
- MGT 320
- Management Leadership: Theory and Practice
- MGT 346
- Human Resource Management
- MGT 348
- Negotiating in Business
One of the following:
Marketing Concentration — 12 units
A fundamental graduate concentration designed to prepare MBA students for success in the rapidly changing marketing field.
Often considered the central discipline of business, the challenges and practices of marketing are evolving along with the changes in the contemporary business environment. This concentration prepares students to manage the marketing function inside private or public sector business organizations. General management and marketing techniques, such as market research and market planning, are covered along with the current trends and techniques in the field like digital marketing, social media, and the increasing mobile marketing trends.
Required Courses — 12 units
Four of the following:
Any 300-level course with the MKT prefix, which may include:
Multiple Concentrations
Two or more concentrations may be taken in the MBA program. In addition to the course requirements for the concentrations, students must also complete the coursework for all the foundation and the advanced programs. All of the coursework for multiple concentrations must be completed prior to graduation; students may not request any additional concentrations after they have received their MBA. The diploma will list all of the concentrations that the student successfully completed by the date of graduation.
Operations and Supply Chain Management Concentration — 12 units
A varied graduate concentration designed to prepare MBA students for a career in Operations
Our operations and supply-chain management concentration provides students with a foundation in the theories and practice of management in businesses where operations and supply-chain management are critical to success. Students can take a variety of operations management courses to cover an overview of the field, or choose to focus on a specific area such as project and systems management, or procurement and supply-chain management. Students will be able to execute a management plan taking into account logistics, purchasing, and the global supply chain.
Required Courses — 12 units
Three 300-level courses (9 units) with the OP prefix, which may include:
Project Management Concentration — 12 units
A structured graduate concentration designed to groom MBA students for careers in project management
Golden Gate University is a PMI® member and a PMI Registered Education Provider (REP).
The concentration in Project Management gives students grounding in multiple skills including budgeting, conflict resolution, communication, project scope, developing and using resources, leadership, and team building. Students gain knowledge from faculty who are certificated by PMI. The content of courses is integrated with the Project Management Institute, Inc., A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®, Guide) - Fourth Edition, Project Management Institute, Inc. 2008. As students progress through their courses, they are preparing themselves for the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification exam. The PM concentration provides an opportunity for those who wish to build on their MBA degree work by obtaining project management skills. The certificate is for those who may be working and intend to apply project management skills in their present and future professional endeavors.
Required Courses — 12 units
- OP 340
- Project Management
- OP 343
- Project Planning and Control
- OP 345
- Project Administration, Leadership and Team Dynamics
- OP 346
- The Practice of Project Management (to be taken as part of the final six units of the project management coursework or with consent of the department chair)
Public Administration Concentration — 12 units
A progressive graduate concentration designed to prepare MBA students to navigate the bureaucracy of the public sector.
Outsourcing of public sector services to business and non-profit organizations has increased the need for private sector managers who understand how the government bureaucracy works. This concentration provides students with the necessary skills and Knowledge to be successful at public management, applying what they learned to approach the public sector with the mindset of a private sector manager. Students will learn to manage finances in a not-for-profit company, labor practices in the public sector, and running a business amidst all the legal red tape that can come along with public administration.
Required Courses — 12 units
Two of the following:
Public Relations Concentration - 12 Units
The concentration in public relations for MBA students prepares students to manage the public relations function within public relations agencies, corporations, non-profit, and public sector organizations. The public relations courses provide theory and hands-on practice of core PR skills, complementing the required business discipline courses of the MBA degree.
Graduates of the MBA program will be able to:
- Work effectively in teams
- Sell their ideas
- Apply theory to understand real practical situations
- Think "outside the box" and develop novel solutions
- Integrate the functional department issues into a coherent strategic whole
- Analyze and synthesize problems
- Manage the development of their own careers
And will be knowledgeable about:
- Current international and global issues
- Ethical and diversity issues
- Current technology and environmental issues
- Leading change in an organization
- Current management trends
Required Courses — 12 units
Three of the following:
- PR 330A
- Writing for Public Relations and Marketing Communications
- PR 332
- Media Relations and the Professional Spokesperson
- PR 334
- Managing Public Issues: Consumer Affairs and Government Relations
- PR 396A-ZZ
- Selected Topics in Public Relations
- PR 398
- Internship: Public Relations
- PR 399
- Directed Study in PR
Business Administration Department
Our MBA degrees are taught by faculty experts in a range of business subjects from finance to entrepreneurship. Please see the complete list by specialty:
Entrepreneurship
The Art of Pivoting
A recent seminar on how and when to change your business strategy.
COURSE PROFILE
MGT 320 Management Leadership: Theory and Practice
with Jeffrey D. Yergler
Discuss and review classic models and emerging trends in leadership: entrepreneurial, hierarchical and team management.
PLAN YOUR SCHEDULE
Join a Growing Industry
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster than average -- 21% or higher -- growth in management analyst jobs from 2006-2016.
Source: O*NET Online